N.C. man gets 30 months for moonshine

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A 61-year-old man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for making moonshine on a North Carolina island in the Pasquotank River, authorities said.

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, N.C., reported Wednesday the sentence against John Dawson Pierce comes months after the North Carolina man pleaded guilty to charges of operating a still without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As part of Pierce's moonshine manufacturing between June 2005 and August 2007, authorities said he purchased more than 21,000 pounds of sugar. Sugar is a major ingredient in the manufacture of moonshine.

Authorities learned of Pierce's moonshine operation after one of his customers was caught with 20 gallons of the illegal beverage on Aug. 21, 2008.

A subsequent raid resulted in the seizure of 15 gallons of moonshine.

WRAL said as part of his sentence, Pierce was ordered to forfeit two boats and pay nearly $61,000 in restitution.

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